Pro Picks is a weekly column the place AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming video games. For all earlier Pro Picks, head right here.
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The Chicago Bears can enhance their possibilities of touchdown the No. 1 general decide in subsequent yr’s NFL draft by successful a recreation.
It’s not usually {that a} win would assist a group enhance draft positioning, however the Bears (2-7) personal Carolina’s first-spherical decide. They host the Panthers (1-7) on Thursday night time.
The two struggling groups meet for the primary time since a blockbuster commerce despatched vast receiver D.J. Moore to Chicago and gave Carolina the No. 1 general decide it used on quarterback Bryce Young.
Things haven’t labored out for both group.
Young has been inconsistent and the Panthers need to be questioning if C.J. Stroud would’ve been the higher decide.
The Bears nonetheless have questions on Justin Fields, who has missed three straight video games with a thumb damage.
(*1*)
A chief-time viewers will get to observe the least intriguing matchup of Week 10. The Bears are 3-level favorites, based on FanDuel Sportsbook. Pro Picks expects an in depth recreation.
BEARS, 20-19
Line: Bills minus 7 1/2
The inconsistent Bills (5-4) already surpassed final season’s loss complete. The Broncos (3-5) are rested after a bye and are rejuvenated following two straight wins. Josh Allen and the Bills have an excessive amount of expertise to be floundering. They want a convincing win Monday night time.
BEST BET: BILLS, 30-17
Line: Colts minus 1 1/2
The Patriots (2-7) have been pitiful. The Colts (4-5) snapped a 3-recreation shedding streak and goal to get again to .500. Led by backup QB Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis is the one group to attain a minimum of 20 factors in every recreation this season.
UPSET SPECIAL: PATRIOTS, 24-23
Line: 49ers minus 3
Both groups are coming off byes. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars (6-2) have gained 5 in a row. The 49ers (5-3) have misplaced three straight however might get WR Deebo Samuel and All-Pro LT Trent Williams again. They’ll have Chase Young for the primary time since he was acquired from Washington.
49ERS, 26-22
Line: Saints minus 2 1/2
Joshua Dobbs has extra time to be taught the playbook and his teammates’ names after rescuing the Vikings (5-4) final week and main them to their fourth straight win of their first recreation with out Kirk Cousins. The Saints (5-4) lead their division due to a playmaking protection. Derek Carr has performed effectively in two straight wins.
VIKINGS, 23-21
Line: Buccaneers minus 1 1/2
After C.J. Stroud had an historic recreation in opposition to them, the Buccaneers (3-5) face one other rookie QB in Will Levis. The Titans (3-5) haven’t gained a street recreation since final Nov. 17 in Green Bay. The Buccaneers (3-5) have misplaced 4 in a row and couldn’t even win a recreation when Baker Mayfield and the offense put up 37 factors.
TITANS, 24-20
Line: Ravens minus 6
The two high defenses within the NFL sq. off in an AFC North matchup. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (7-2) have gained 4 in a row with two dominant wins in opposition to first-place groups. The Browns (5-3) have been blown out by Baltimore in Week 4, however could have Deshaun Watson this time round.
RAVENS, 19-16
Line: Bengals minus 6 1/2
Joe Burrow and the Bengals (5-3) are again to type with 4 straight wins, together with spectacular again-to-again video games in opposition to San Francisco and Buffalo. The Texans (4-4) are a lot improved this season thanks primarily to Stroud and new coach DeMeco Ryans.
BENGALS, 27-20
Line: Steelers minus 3
The Steelers (5-3) maintain discovering methods to win regardless of being outplayed and outgained in yards. The Packers (3-5) simply snapped a 4-recreation shedding streak. They haven’t scored 20 factors in six straight video games as first-yr starter Jordan Love has had ups and downs.
STEELERS, 23-17
Line: Falcons minus 1 1/2
Taylor Heinicke will get one other alternative to start out this week and the Falcons (4-5) have a possibility to get again to .500 going through the lowly Cardinals (1-8). Arizona might have Kyler Murray again this week however he may hinder their possibilities of touchdown the No. 1 general decide.
FALCONS, 23-20
Line: Lions minus 2 1/2
The Lions (6-2) are coming off a bye whereas the Chargers (4-4) have a brief week after a Monday night time street win in opposition to the Jets. Detroit is 4-1 in opposition to the unfold when favored by a minimum of 2 1/2 factors.
LIONS, 30-26
Line: Cowboys minus 16 1/2
Dallas (5-3) self-destructed with an opportunity to beat the Eagles. Now, the Cowboys need to keep away from a letdown in opposition to the lowly Giants (2-7) who’re down to 3rd-string QB Tommy DeVito.
COWBOYS, 31-10
Line: Seahawks minus 6
The Seahawks (5-3) attempt to rebound after getting dominated by the Ravens. Geno Smith’s manufacturing is down from final season and his turnovers are up. Sam Howell and some rookies give the Commanders (4-5) cause for optimism.
SEAHAWKS, 26-18
Line: Jets minus 1 1/2
The Jets (4-4) are favorites on a brief week after a Monday night time loss wherein the offense was anemic but once more. The Raiders (4-5) celebrated Josh McDaniels’ firing with a lopsided win over the Giants and a few victory cigars.
JETS, 17-13
Last week: Straight up: 9-5. Against unfold: 10-4
Overall: Straight up: 89-47. Against unfold: 76-55-5.
Best Bet: Straight up: 7-2. Against unfold: 4-4-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 6-3. Against unfold: 7-2.
Thursday: Straight up: 7-2. Against unfold: 8-1.
Monday: Straight up: 7-4. Against unfold: 8-2-1.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
